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Creamy Shamrock Shake Sugar Cookie Bars

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Soft, buttery sugar cookie bars with a creamy minty Shamrock Shake frosting, perfect for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Easy to make and a crowd-pleaser for kids and adults alike.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 2 ½ cups (312g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • Green food coloring (optional)
  • 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream, chilled
  • ½ cup (60g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
  • 2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
  • Green gel food coloring (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup softened unsalted butter and 1 cup granulated sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy and pale, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Add 1 large egg and 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract to the butter mixture and mix until fully combined and smooth.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon baking powder, and ¼ teaspoon salt.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
  6. If desired, add a few drops of green food coloring and stir gently until evenly tinted.
  7. Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan using hands or a spatula.
  8. Bake for 20-25 minutes until edges are light golden brown and center is set but still soft. Do not overbake.
  9. Remove from oven and cool completely on a wire rack, about 30-40 minutes.
  10. To make the frosting, beat 1 cup chilled heavy cream in a chilled bowl until soft peaks form.
  11. In a separate small bowl, blend 2 tablespoons softened cream cheese with ½ teaspoon peppermint extract and ½ cup sifted powdered sugar until smooth.
  12. Gently fold the cream cheese mixture into the whipped cream until fully incorporated.
  13. Add green gel food coloring if desired and mix until the frosting is light, fluffy, and minty.
  14. Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled sugar cookie bars using a spatula.
  15. Chill the frosted bars in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to set the frosting.
  16. Slice into squares or rectangles and serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

Do not overbake the bars to avoid dryness. Chill the mixing bowl and beaters before whipping cream for fluffier frosting. If frosting is too soft, refrigerate for 10-15 minutes before spreading. Use parchment paper for easy removal and cleanup. For dairy-free or gluten-free versions, substitute ingredients as suggested in the recipe.

Nutrition

Keywords: Shamrock Shake, sugar cookie bars, St. Patrick's Day dessert, mint frosting, festive cookies, easy cookie bars

Find it online: https://juliamadeit.com/creamy-shamrock-shake-sugar-cookie-bars-easy-festive-recipe-for-st-patricks-day/